What to expect on Election Night

Photo by Joyce Busola on Unsplash

By Ava Edwards

November 5, 2024

For many first-time voters, or just those who need a refresher, election night can be confusing. Here at Dogwood, we want to keep you informed this election season—so here is what you can expect on Election Night.

While polling places close at 7 p.m. on Election Day, the ballot counting process is long and sometimes confusing.

It is normal for ballot counting to take a while, so don’t expect to get results right when polls close. This year’s election is especially close—and that could make the counting process even longer than normal.

On Election Night, we will likely know the results of local and state elections well before the results for the presidency. Local elections take a shorter time to count because these races won’t be as tight.

Also, many voters will likely wait until Election Day to turn in their mail-in ballots, which can also slow the counting process. Election officials have until the Friday following Election Day to receive and count ballots (but ballots must be postmarked on or by Nov. 5).

Election Night can be a time of uncertainty, confusion, and worry, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here at Dogwood, we want to keep you informed this election season.

Ava Edwards

Ava is an up-and-coming journalist who recently graduated from William & Mary with a degree in English. She's written for news publications such as her school's newspaper, The Flat Hat, and Hampton Roads' WAVY-TV 10. As a lifelong Virginia resident, she looks forward to informing her community on the latest information and events.

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CATEGORIES: Election 2024

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